Platinum is a chemical element with the chemical symbol Pt and an atomic
number of 78.

Its name is derived from the Spanish term platina Del Pinto, which is
literally translated into "little silver of the Pinto River."

It is in Group 10 of the periodic table of elements. A dense, malleable,
ductile, precious, gray-white transition metal, platinum is resistant to
corrosion and occurs in some nickel and copper ores along with some native
deposits. Platinum is used in jewellery, laboratory equipment, electrical
contacts and electrodes, platinum resistance thermometers, dentistry
equipment, and catalytic converters. Some of its compounds are used in
chemotherapy for cancer patients.

TYPICAL PROPERTIES :

Boiling Point: 3800 oC

Melting Point: 1769 oC

Density at 20 oC: 21.45 g/cm3 (0.774 lb/in3)

Electrical Resistivity: 98.5 nΩ ⋅ m at 0oC

Temperature Coefficient: 0.0039/K from 0 oC to 100 oC

Tensile Properties (Annealed at 700 oC):

Tensile
Strength: 125 - 165 MPa (18 - 24 ksi)

Proportional
Limit: <13.8 MPa (<2 ksi)

Elongation: 30 - 40% in 50mm (2 in)

Tensile Properties (Hard Drawn, 50%
Cold Worked):

Tensile Strength: 205 - 240 MPa (30 - 35 ksi)

Elongation: 1 - 3% in 50mm (2 in)

Poisson's Ratio: 0.39

Elastic Modulus at 20 oC
(Annealed at 700 oC):

Tension: Static: 171 GPa (24.5 x 106
psi)

Dynamic: 169 GPa (24.5 x 106 psi)

Elastic Modulus at 20 oC
(Hard Drawn, 50% Cold-Worked):

Tension: Static: 156 GPa (22.6 x 106
psi)

Applications:

The number and scope of
platinum's industrial uses have skyrocketed during this century to include
neurosurgical and dental apparatus, drugs for cancer treatment, computer and
automotive equipment. Indeed, one of every five goods either contains or is
produced using platinum. One of its most essential uses is in auto catalytic
converters. Within autocatalysts, platinum converts harmful emissions into
carbon dioxide and water. Nearly one third of newly mined platinum is used in
this fashion.